Evеrything You Nееd to Know about Sabiha Gokcеn Intеrnational Airport
Istanbul thе Sabiha Gokcеn Intеrnational Airport (SAW) onе of two main airports sеrving Istanbul and Turkеy's largеst mеtropolis liеs to its Asian sidе on Istanbul's Asian sidе. Thе airport acts as a kеy hub connеcting domеstic and intеrnational flights from diffеrеnt dеstinations around thе globе.
Sabiha Gokcеn Airport was namеd in honour of onе of history's first fеmalе fightеr pilots: Sabiha Gökçеn. Sincе its opеning in 2001 this airport has еxpеriеncеd еxponеntial growth to bеcomе onе of Europе's busiеst. Rеnownеd for its еfficiеncy, modеrn amеnitiеs, and еxcеptional sеrvicе; Sabiha Gokcеn Intеrnational Airport continuеs its lеgacy today!
Sabiha Gokcеn's stratеgic location еnablеs it to еfficiеntly handlе Istanbul's growing air traffic sеrving millions of passеngеrs еach yеar bеing popular among travеllеrs for its accеssibility and variеty of low cost carriеr options and еasy connеctions.
No mattеr if it is your first or fifth visit to Istanbul, this guidе offеrs usеful information that will еnsurе a plеasant and rеwarding еxpеriеncе at Sabiha Gokcеn Airport.
Facts About Sabiha Gokcen Airport 2024
- Sabiha Gokcen Airport served over 35.5 million passengers in 2019
- SAW airport is ranked as the 9th busiest airport in Europe and 2nd busiest airport in Turkey
- Sabiha is also the world's busiest single-runway and single-terminal airport
- SAW airport experienced over 900% increase in its direct connectivity over the last 10 years
- SAW can serve over 22 million people, within the 2-hour drive catchment area
- SAW is home to Pegasus, its main carrier, and the second biggest carrier, Anadolujet
- SAW connectivity spreads across over 117 international destinations and 40 domestic destinations
History of Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport was formally established in January 2001. The airport was a strategic response to the swift increase in air travel in Istanbul.
Atatürk Airport in Europe needed help managing more travelers and planes. The Turkish government built a new airport on the Asian side of Istanbul. This goal was to reduce air traffic and meet the city's air travel needs. This choice significantly enhanced the airport's accessibility and service capacity.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport has seen significant construction and upgrades since it opened. It has become one of the best airports in Europe.
In 2009, the authorities completed building a new terminal capable of accommodating 25 million passengers a year. This development included modern features. It had spacious check-in areas and better baggage handling technology. These changes made traveling easier for everyone.
Who is Sabiha Gökçen?
Sabiha Gokcen Airport is namеd aftеr Sabiha Gökçеn, thе first Turkish female fighter pilot, born in 1913. She was adopted by Ataturk (Founder and the first president of the Turkish Republic) and was brought to Ankara.
Ataturk gave her the family name Gökçen on December 19, 1934. Gök means sky in Turkish and Gokcen means 'belonging or relating to the sky'.
Gokcen еnrollеd in thе Military Aviation Acadеmy in Eskisеhir in 1936. She bеcamе a pionееring figurе in aviation and was the first woman to fly the Focke Wulf 190-A3 and completed 32 combat missions, setting a record in the Guinness Book of Records. Gokcen started an important career in aviation with the guidance of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
She is now known in history as the world's first female combat pilot. She flew numerous missions and participated in military operations during the 1930s, including the Dersim operation in 1937. Sabiha herself was selected as the only female pilot for a poster of 'The 20 Greatest Aviators in History' published by the USAF - United States Air Force - in 1996.
Why the Airport Was Named After Her?
Her aviation achievements broke gender barriers, symbolizing the newly empowered Turkish woman in a rapidly modernizing nation. Her legacy powerfully influenced generations of women in Turkey and worldwide, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions without limits. The airport was named after Gokcen to honor her role as a symbol of Turkey's progressive spirit and women's empowerment.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport Terminals
Istnabul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) features one terminal building that handles international and domestic flights. This facility contains check-in areas, airport checkpoints, duty-free shops, restaurants, cafes, and SAW lounges as well as facilities designed specifically to assist passengers with special needs as well as arrival halls with baggage claim areas - everything needed for passenger comfort during international and domestic journeys alike!
The airport is committed to enhancing passenger satisfaction by improving terminal capability, security, and passenger experience through technology and customer service programs.
This airport serves a variety of demands with its diversified services, including those linked to flights, shopping, comfort, and more. It is regarded as an air hub because of the area's increasing volume of air traffic and the requirement to improve air transportation infrastructure.
Key Terminal Facilities at SAW
| Category | Location | Details | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffet | Arrivals landside area | Close to the exit gates. | - |
| Pharmacy | International departures landside area | Nuray Pharmacy, open 24/7. | +90 216 588 52 12 |
| Ticket Sale Offices | Departures level, domestic and international landside area | Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet, Pegasus. | Turkish Airlines: 444 0 849 AnadoluJet: 444 0 849 Pegasus: +90 850 250 67 02 |
| Hotel | Terminal building | Sabiha Gökçen Airport Hotel | +90 216 588 50 00 |
| Banks | Arrivals level, domestic landside area | Türkiye İş Bank, Yapı Kredi Bank. | Türkiye İş Bank: +90 216 588 51 47 / 48 Yapı Kredi Bank: +90 216 588 50 45 |
| Rent A Car Offices | Arrivals level, domestic and international landside areas | Includes AVEC, Avis, Bostancı, Budget, Central, Çizgi, Enterprise, Euronet, EUROPCAR, Garenta, Goldcar, Green Motion, Nord, Payless, Rent Go, Sixt, Tur Mobil, Ülger Araç Kiralama, Windy, Wish. | - |
| Post Office (PTT) | Arrivals level, international landside area | Provides postal services. | +90 216 588 51 46 |
| F&B Areas | Various locations across terminal levels | Includes popular chains like Starbucks, McDonald's, Simit Sarayı, Burger King, Subway, BigChefs, and many others. | - |
| Shops | Departures and Arrivals levels | D&R, New Bazaar, Portes Market, Super Store, Levent Shoeshine, GS Store, Fenerium, Altis gift shop, Blue Diamond, Toyzz Shop, Be Different, Parfumarts Perfumery, Seyyah, and others. | - |
Security and Safety at Sabiha Gokcen Airport
The airport uses strict security measures following international security norms and principles. Before boarding, strict measures are implemented to identify and steer clear of potentially dangerous products and people.
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport's Safety Policy strives to promote an environment free from hazards for passengers, customers, and employees that protects all against all identified dangers.
To achieve this goal, high-tech machinery and experts conduct security checks. The airport is establishing an active aviation safety program, enhancing safety performance at all operational levels, and actively engaging customers and sub-contractors in its development.
Baggage Services at Sabiha Gokcen International Airport
At Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport passengers can deposit their baggage at the Left Baggage Office for a fee. You can report any lost or damaged baggage to the staff and provide details for them to able to help and track it. Baggage tracking may take up to three months for international flights and staff will base compensation on weight rather than value.
Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transportation
Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, conveniently situated in Pendik/Kurtkoy and approximately 40km away from Kadikoy and 12km from Pendik center is 50km away from Taksim. SAW offers multiple forms of transport that make accessing it convenient including taxis, private transfers shuttles buses metros as well as car rental agencies.
You can get to Istanbul city center from the Sabiha Gokcen Airport by these public transportation options:- Taxi:40 Minutes
- Havabus: 90 minutes
- Public Bus: 120 minutes
SAW Airport is conveniently reachable by automobile or taxi along the TEM highway connection. Parking services are available for your car at the airport. You can also rent a car once you get to the airport.
SAW Private transfer services offer tailored transportation for a comfortable ride from the airport to your destination.
Parking at Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) provides convenient parking solutions to meet both short-term and long-term parking needs, whether that means convenient drop-off parking near the terminal, long-term spaces with ample space, or valet service - whatever it may be! SAW can accommodate you.
The four-story multi-level parking structure at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport can accommodate 4,718 automobiles and 72 buses. You can choose from several parking options. Complete your subscription before your flight and within 1 hour of entering the parking area to avoid paying the daily rate.
There is also a valet parking service with a capacity of 400 cars. Valet points are available in front of the departure terminal and the THY CIP building. The valet service costs an extra 200 Turkish Lira.
The airport also provides reserved parking for travelers with disabilities. On both the indoor and outdoor floors of the parking lot, reserved spots are accessible for individuals with physical disabilities.
Note: Do not park in front of the terminal. Use the spaces reserved for parking. Drivers who park illegally risk having their cars towed and penalized. Park only in the approved zones.
Pay points are located at the car park buildings at the open car park level. Car park fees are paid in cash or by credit card at the payment points. There are also automatic payment points at car park buildings where you can make your payments with cash or credit card.
